The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 8th, 1924. A WAR MEMORIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY Bth, 1924. A WAR MEMORIAL

At Stanhope Gate, just north 'of the Achilles statue in Hyde Park, a touching ceremony took place late in May. Cavalry War Memorial was unveiled. It consists of a fine statue of St George shown—after having broken his ]anco in slaving the dragon ami given the coup de grace with his sword—reining in his charger with sword uplifted in dignified attitude, as a signal that the enemy has been subdued. This form of memorial is probably less vain-glorious than that at first proposed—a bronze column fifty feet high, the column being an enlarged replica of a field marshal’s buton. on the head of which is St. George and the Dragon, which was to !-• at once a memorial to the fallen and an indication that the cavalry arm gained four such batons during the Great AVnr. Although the important Chapter of the Order of the Bath was being held that day, the Duke of Connaught and the Prince of Wales both came to the unveiling for which a largo number of representatives of mounted forces from nil over the world were - in attendance. Lord Ypres.in a speech before ho unveiled the memorial, said that the cavalry during tho war had never been a failure. For

long periods they were not used, bat whenever occasion demanded they fought, with the greatest gallantry. At the Battle of Mons. be said they covered tbo retreat of the British Army, suffering terrible losses, but playing a part which no other arm in the British novice could have done. Later ill the war when it was thought that cavalry had been shelved their usefulness was shown by some wonderful charges which preceded infantry attacks. The dedication was performed hv BisliopTaylor Smith, Chaplain General to the Forces, and the prayers for faithful service and for those who mourn were given. During the last jtlicre were many tears shed hv those waiting to place wreaths on the beautiful monumenf. One touching little floral offering held by quite a young woman was of fnrget-me-nots and lilies of flic valley. The panels surrounding the upper part of the plinth do not represent any particular drill hook formation, but that of tile assembly pievious to any formation, thus giving the opportunity of producing an artistic frieze, also commemorating soldiers in their lighting dress of all the cavalry of the Empire. Forming a background to the noble statue is bronze tliore is a wall ill the centre of which is an arch in scmi-w’nssicu! style. Within it there are ) lnquos on which are recorded the names ol the different units the war service of which is commemorated. Among those appear the names of the Auckland Mounted Rilles. Wellington Mounted Pities. Otago Mounted Rifles, and Canterbury Mounted Rides. Tile Ist. and 15th. Light Horse are also recorded there, the plaques have incised on them too. the battle honours of the cavalry. Tile whole design of the background is in keeping with that of the remaining gateway. The statue itself is cast in bronze from guns captured during the war. The figure is remarkable, too. as being the first in London ol a complete statue in Aibumr. which is in fact copied from the bronze ofligv of that Earl of Warwick winch is dated 1154.